Flexible LED strip (12–60 LEDs/m) for hidden fill and edge lighting. Color temperature 2700K–6500K, cuttable every 50–100 mm.
Technical Details
Zip Lights consist of flexible printed circuit boards with soldered SMD LEDs spaced 16.7-83.3mm apart (60-12 LEDs per meter). Standard color temperatures range from 2700K to 6500K, with RGB variants enabling 16.7 million color combinations. Protection ratings vary from IP20 (indoor) to IP67 (waterproof). Typical power consumption is 4.8-28.8 watts per meter, depending on LED density and brightness. Cutting marks every 50-100mm allow for precise length adjustment.
History & Development
The first commercially viable LED strip was developed in 2005 by the Taiwanese company Epistar. The breakthrough in filmmaking occurred in 2009 with Aputure's "Light Storm" series, which achieved cinematic color rendering (CRI 95+) for the first time. In 2012, Quasar Science revolutionized the market with the "Q-LED X" through high-frequency PWM control without flicker effects. Since 2018, RGBW chips have enabled stepless color temperature adjustment without loss of brightness.
Practical Use in Film
Christopher Nolan used over 2000 meters of Zip Lights for "Tenet" (2020) for invisible illumination in vehicles and confined spaces. Denis Villeneuve integrated them into "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) as practical light sources in set decoration. Zip Lights are suitable for edge lighting on objects, hidden ambient lighting, and uniform surface illumination of coves. Disadvantages include limited light output, visible LED dots upon direct viewing, and heat generation at high power density.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike neon tubes, Zip Lights offer greater flexibility but less homogeneous light. LED panels provide higher light output but are rigid and bulkier. Tube lights (Astera Titan, Quasar Q-LED) combine the flexibility of Zip Lights with higher light output but cost 10-15 times more. For concealed mounting and accent lighting, Zip Lights remain the first choice; for key lighting, dedicated LED panels or Fresnel luminaires are better suited.